EAST LANSING - Keith Nichol has to sit out an entire season before he will square off with Kirk Cousins for the opportunity to replace Brian Hoyer as Michigan State's starting quarterback in 2009.

But the Elite 11 quarterback from Lowell (Mich.) insists that he is having the best time of his football career since playing in his final game for the Red Arrows in the playoffs against Muskegon two years ago. "I am really enjoying myself," said Nichol. "I am glad that I made the trip back home. I really don't know what else to say. I am really enjoying it."

Nichol says that the attitude of the team and the Michigan State coaching staff have made football fun again for him.

"Guys are laughing and having a good time," said Nichol. "It is just a little different environment. And I am home. There is no better way to describe it than just being back home."